Institut für Züchtungsforschung an gartenbaulichen Kulturen
The production of high value medicinal and spice plants is rooted in a long agronomic tradition in Saxony-Anhalt. The cultivation of thyme, oregano, majoram and balm as raw material and its processing to medicinal products, essential oils, and spices generates high economical value for regional farmers. In addition, these Lamiaceae plants are used for crop rotation and provide nutrition for insects within the agronomic ecosystems. Nevertheless, the economic success of small farming operations is often affected by low plant yield and challenging climatic conditions. Unlike other crop plants, Lamiaceae have not been subjected to rigorous breeding programs that maximize essential oil quality and adopt the plant to regional climatic conditions. In this project, a consortium of research institutes and local producers of Lamiaceae will co-operate to increase the agronomic potential of Lamiacae by molecular breeding techiques. Based on the discovery of genomic diversity of these species, we will build up a unique digital ressource that allows for the development of plants with enhanced quality and quantity of terpene products. These plants can be exploited for innovative pharmaceuticals and industrial applications. Improved downstream processing of the plant material will further increase the competitiveness of local producers on the international market. The overarching goal of this co-operation is to establish a sustainable bioeconomy for pharmaceutical and nutritional products that improves the economic situation in Southern Saxony-Anhalt.
Federal Ministry of Education and Research
